01/12/2025

MONDAY | DEC 1, 2025

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Fisheries authority cuts red tape

Call to boost efforts to protect endangered marine species

JOHOR BAHRU: The implementation of two Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform initiatives by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority since last year has not only expedited administrative processes within the fisheries sector but also saved millions of ringgit and strengthened data integrity involving thousands of fishermen nationwide. The two initiatives – cross-checking Fishermen’s Living Allowance and digitalising fish marketing licence approvals via the MyLesen system – have positioned the authority as one of the leading agencies driving digital transformation in public service delivery. Fisheries Development Authority Director-General Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the cross-checking project integrates data between the authority’s e-Declaration System and the National Registration Department (NRD) Agency Link-Up System, enabling automatic monthly verification of deceased fishermen to ensure accurate allowance payments. “Checks that previously took up to seven days can now be completed within 24 hours, reducing the risk of leakage and ensuring that only eligible fishermen receive assistance.” He said 5,408 fishermen in 2024 and another 965 as of October this year were identified as deceased and automatically removed from the recipient list through the new process, Bernama reported. He added that the improvement prevented payments to about 300 deceased recipients annually, saving RM1.08 million, while eliminating NRD verification fees saved another RM420,000. Muhammad Faiz said the MyLesen system has also shortened the Fish Trading Licence approval period from 21 days to 14 days, with the entire application process, including document submission and payment, now fully done online. Previously, applicants had to visit the authority’s offices and submit physical documents, prolonging processing times and disrupting business operations, particularly for the import and export sector. He said MyLesen has boosted officer productivity, reduced manual workload and accelerated daily administrative processes that once required extra time for physical verification. Muhammad Faiz said the authority is also implementing full digitalisation of subsidised fuel distribution through the MyMinyak app, which will further reduce leakage and ensure that only eligible fishermen receive benefits.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Move urgent as shark fin, ray meat sales have shifted rapidly onto e-commerce platforms, says WWF Malaysia

as meat, powders or skins are often falsely marketed as captive-bred, exploiting legal grey areas. He added that tackling the problem requires strong cooperation between platforms and government authorities. “It should function like the joint effort against online scams – platforms detect suspicious activity first while the government takes legal action. “With clear banned-species lists, tighter verification for high-risk sellers and AI monitoring guided by wildlife experts, we can make it far harder for these traffickers to operate.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh that includes: 0 adding six shark and ray species to the protected list in 2019; 0 supporting Universiti Putra Malaysia research on traceability systems; 0 strengthening species identification training for enforcement agencies; and 0 considering the use of options such as “Important Shark and Ray Areas” to facilitate future conservation zone planning. She praised these steps but added that they may not keep pace with rising exploitation. “Our concern is not commitment, it’s timing. Some species are so heavily targeted that delays in legal protection could push them towards irreversible declines.” With amendments to the Fisheries Act 1985 under discussion, WWF-Malaysia is pressing for stronger legal safeguards, including expanding protection to additional critically endangered species and making it illegal to catch, sell or consume these species. Other measures are requiring clear labelling and documented origins for all shark and ray products as well as ensuring that e-commerce platforms enforce transparent trade practices. Currently, only 11 marine species are legally protected, including whale sharks, manta rays, sawfishes, oceanic whitetip sharks and several hammerhead species. WWF is pushing to include the bowmouth guitarfish, all wedgefish species and the scalloped hammerhead shark. “Our oceans are already under immense pressure. The simplest and most direct way to contribute to conservation is to stop buying or eating these species.” She reiterated WWF’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Fisheries Department, local agencies, communities and industry partners to ensure that marine conservation efforts are supported by science and long-term enforcement.

PETALING JAYA: Traders of endangered sharks and rays are slipping through Malaysia’s legal net as loopholes in current laws fuel a thriving online trade in threatened marine species. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia has warned that urgent legal action is needed before some species vanish locally, potentially within our lifetime. Its senior marine conservation officer Serena Adam said the problem has intensified as shark fin and ray meat sales have shifted rapidly onto e-commerce platforms. “Most endangered sharks and rays in Malaysian waters still do not receive legal protection, meaning

the trade in these species is technically not illegal.” “The Fisheries Department has taken important steps in the right direction but much more must be done.” Without strong traceability, consumers cannot know whether their purchases are driving critically endangered species toward extinction. Despite global pressure to curb shark exploitation, Malaysia remains a major hub for both fin and meat markets.

Citing Food and Agriculture Organisation data and WWF analysis, she said Malaysia was the second-largest importer of shark fin in Southeast Asia from 2010 to 2018, bringing in over 22,600 tonnes. Malaysia also ranked fourth in global ray meat imports from 2012 to 2019, taking in more than 18,200 tonnes, mostly from Indonesia. “These figures clearly suggest a strong domestic appetite for rays, especially for culinary uses.” WWF acknowledged the Fisheries Department’s progress,

Despite global pressure to curb exploitation of endangered species, Malaysia remains a major hub for both shark fin and ray meat markets. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Wildlife traffickers exploiting social media, e-commerce sites PETALING JAYA: Wildlife traffickers in Malaysia are exploiting social media and e-commerce platforms, turning popular apps and sites into digital black markets for endangered species, according to an expert. He said once buyers show interest, negotiations shift to encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram. “Technology acts like CCTV – using AI to identify protected wildlife images, slang terms and shared hash databases so that banned photos cannot simply resurface elsewhere.” He said digital evidence could disappear within minutes yet authorities often require lengthy international procedures to obtain platform or banking data.

“Accounts are deleted and recreated frequently. Animals are shipped through regular courier services, disguised as harmless goods.” He likened the trade to “selling stolen goods in a giant mall – the sellers rent stalls, hide price tags and move to back rooms for secret deals”. Authorities and the platforms are now exploring artificial intelligence (AI), stronger law enforcement and regulatory reforms to tackle the threat.

“Traffickers also split shipments into small parcels, making them almost indistinguishable from regular delivery traffic.” Ainuddin Wahid highlighted a troubling shift in marketing tactics. “Sellers are now using short videos to make exotic pets look cute or luxurious. Many listings resemble legitimate online shops, complete with ratings, product bundles and fast shipping.” He said processed products such

Universiti Malaya department of computer systems and technology lecturer Prof Dr Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab said Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Shopee and Lazada were being used to reach customers while evading detection. “Traffickers use closed groups, code words, deliberate misspellings, even emojis, and rely more on images than text so that automated filters fail to catch them.”

Ainuddin Wahid said Malaysia urgently needs updated laws to compel platforms to remove illegal listings and empower specialist wildlife and cybercrime teams to act swiftly. He added that cross-border online sales add another layer of complexity. “The seller, buyer, server and payment route may all be in different countries. Criminals exploit whichever location has the weakest laws.”